Biz Bits: How to dress for a job interview

Thursday

Apr 14, 2011 at 12:01 AMApr 14, 2011 at 2:12 PM

Weekly business rail, with tips for dressing for the job interview, a BBB warning about phishing emails and more.

Tip of the Week

Debra Pierce, director for career services for Miami International University of Art & Design, and Kate Campbell, director for fashion and retail management at The Art Institute of Tampa, provide some tips for dressing for an interview:

- Do your homework. Yes, dressing for the interview requires you to research the employer. If you are applying for a job with a young, trendy boutique, dress in a way that the interviewer can envision you in their shop servicing their clientele.

- Stylish is better than funky. Employers want to see that you will fit in with their business. However, be warned - stylish is better than funky. Too much "trend" can scare a potential employer away. Good taste is more valuable than how avante garde you can be. This is not the time to experiment. For the guys, the same rules apply.

- Clean goes a long way. Clean, pressed khakis or dress pants are preferred. Clean, appropriate shoes and accessories are essential (use a tie if it matches the employer's profile). No T-shirts with political satire, obscene graphics or logos. No droopy jeans or visible underwear. Again, this is not the time to make a personal statement. You should reflect the employer's values and image. If all else fails, a basic blue or gray suit is always stylish and in good taste.

- Accessories. Be frugal with jewelry - less is more. If your jewelry jingles, makes noise or can get caught on any of your clothes, leave it at home.

- Keep your grooming simple. Hair should be clean and neat, and nails clean and well-manicured. Chipped nail polish will not make a good impression. The applicant should look like they cared enough to shower. Go light on makeup. Heavy eye makeup or lipstick is a no-no.

- Go easy on the perfume and aftershave. There is nothing worse than causing your interviewer to have an allergic reaction.

- Shoes need to be clean and in good shape. "No sandals of any kind - no matter where you live," says Campbell.

- ARA

BBB Watch

The Better Business Bureau is seeing one of the first Epsilon data breach phishing scams.

Phishing, a popular emailing scam, is a term coined by computer hackers who use email to fish the Internet hoping to hook you into giving them your logins, passwords and/or credit card information. If you are a customer of one of the companies that had email data stolen, BBB is warning you to be on the lookout for phishing emails.

Typical phishing scammers pose as reputable companies to fraudulently obtain your personal information. In this case, the BBB is now seeing emails being sent from a fake “Chase Bank,” one of the companies whose data was compromised. Following suit, the email warns that “your account” will be deactivated or deleted if you do not update your profile immediately. The email instructs you to update your account by clicking on the link provided.

“These hackers are looking for you to respond with vital information that can ultimately lead to identity theft,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

2,000: Number of jobs that will be cut at Allied Irish Banks after the company reported a loss of $15 billion in 2010. The struggling Irish economy could be hit even harder, as some analysts say Allied could cut up to 6,000 jobs.

Tech Talk

The once-heavily promoted Flip video camera is no more. Cisco Systems Inc., the maker of the handheld device, is ceasing Flip production as it revamps its business plan.

GateHouse News Service

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.